Lighter anthem 'Bohemian Rhapsody'

Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' has been voted the greatest 'lighter in the air song of all time'' in a new poll

Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' has been voted the greatest 'lighter in the air song of all time."

The flamboyant pop group's million selling 1975 single was given the accolade by voters surveyed by lighter company Zippo, scooping 33 per cent of all votes cast.

The song beat Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway To Heaven', and Meatloaf's 'I would do anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)' to the number one spot in the survey.

The poll also named The Beatles as most influential band of the last half a century- despite the fact they have not released a new record since 1996.

Although styles within pop music have shifted dramatically since the 60s from instrument led pop to synthesised dance beats, as well as seeing the rise of hip hop and rap and beyond, the traditional group are still cited as the biggest influence on today's young musicians.

The Beatles beat Queen, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix, who were named the second to fifth most influential groups respectively.

The top five most influential artists in the poll all started their careers in the sixties, aside from Queen who formed in 1971.

David Warfel, a spokesperson for Zippo, said, "It is fascinating to see how true rock legends are still making their mark on fans.

"Just as they've cemented their place in rock history, so too has Zippo."